Pay rises negotiated by the Manufacturing Division have averaged 3.8% per annum over the last three months with deals concluded in more than 50 workplaces including major employments including Medtronic, Analog Devices and Tirlán (formerly Avonmore).
The pay agreements in 53 companies had a 22-month average duration. In most cases they included additional benefits such as vouchers, increased annual leave, sick days and health insurance entitlements.
SIPTU Manufacturing Divisional Organiser, Neil McGowan, said: “The quality of these pay deals has only be achieved due to the commitment and activity of Shop Stewards across the Division. They also serve as a vindication of the SIPTU pay strategy in the manufacturing sector over recent years. The consistency of our approach has secured these increases which go some way to offsetting the cost-of-living crisis which remains throughout our economy.”
He added: “However, if we wish to maintain this progress into the future, we must continue to grow the Union. Density of membership in a workplace is essential to achieving the leverage which provides a platform for negotiating pay and conditions improvements.”